How to Root Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 GT-I8160 on GB and JB and Install CWM Recovery

The Galaxy Ace 2 is a mid-range budget phone with pretty nice specs. The Jelly update to this device is scheduled to roll out very soon. A few days back we made an article the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean leaked firmware for the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2. If you want to try that leaked firmware, read this tutorial. In case, you are looking for a rooting method for the Ace 2 on Gingerbread, you can follow the steps given below. By rooting you phone and installing a custom recovery like CWM, you will be able to get the most out of Galaxy Ace 2.

Rooting gives you more control over your device and access to the system files which otherwise lay inaccessible. The first thing you must know that rooting an Android phone voids its warranty but you can later get it back by installing the official firmware via Odin. Since the procedure is risky, you must be very careful in following the steps laid below otherwise you might endanger your phone.

The rooting tutorial has been divided into two parts. In the first part, we shall be installing a custom recovery on the Galaxy Ace to and then we’ll install the SuperSU app using recovery. The procedure is very simple but only if you stick to the rules, specially if you are new to such things.

Downloads and Preparations:

Download the Odin flasher tool and unzip it on your desktop: Odin3_v1.85.zip

To Root Ace 2 with Gingerbread: If your Galaxy S2 is on GB firmware, download the following files-

Rooting does not delete any data but we would still suggest you to backup all important data such as apps, contacts, messages. Backup your contacts, messages, APNs, bookmarks, calendar, apps & games using these apps.

Open phone Settings> Applications> Development> and turn on USB Debugging from there.

Installing CWM Recovery on Galaxy Ace 2:

As we already stated, you need to install the ClockworkMod recovery first and to do that follow the following steps.

Switch off your Galaxy Ace 2 and and reboot it into Download Mode: press and hold Volume Down+Home+Power buttons simultaneously for about 3 seconds till you see a screen like shown in the image below. Press the Volume Up key when asked and your phone would enter the Download mode (screen 2).

Next open the Odin3_v1.85 folder and run the Odin3_v1.85.exe.

Do not mess up with any settings on the Odin and ensure that only the “Auto Reboot” and “F Reset Time” options are checked on it.

Now connect your phone to PC via USB cable and wait till the ID:COM port on Odin turns yellow and you see “Added!!” text at the message box below.

Click on the PDA button on Odin, and select the custom recovery file with .tar.md5 extension (depending on the OS version of your Ace 2)

Finally click on the Start button and wait till the installation is finished. After that you Galaxy Ace 2 will reboot automatically.

You can now disconnect the USB cable. Thus you have successfully installed the CWM Recovery on your phone. In the next step we’ll install the SuperSU app that will give you root access on your Galaxy Ace 2.

Rooting Galaxy Ace 2:

Make sure you have copied the update_su.zip file on your phone as directed above.

Turn off you phone and boot it into Recovery mode: press Volume Up+Home+Power keys simultaneously for about 5 seconds till the screen turns up, Samsung logo blinks for 2 times and you see a black screen with blue text.

For CWM: Make sure ClockworkMod Recovery is written on the top of the screen.In recovery mode, use the Volume keys to scroll up or down and the Power key to select and option/file.

Scroll to “Apply Update from Sdcard”, navigate to the update_su.zipfile and select it. Select “yes” when asked.

This will initiate the installation procedure and it will take a few seconds to finish.

Finally, select “reboot system now” option from main menu in recovery.

For TWRP: tap on “install” and select SuperSU-v1.25+.zip. When it is installed, go back and select “reboot”.

You phone will now reboot and you should see a new app called “SuperSU” installed on your device. Open the app and update its binary if prompted. To check if the rooting was successful, download the Root Checker app from the Google Play Store and run it.

UPDATE !!

If the above method does not work for you, as some users have reported, try the steps given below. to root your device.

Well-versed in English literature, Rakesh is a teacher by profession and geek by heart with ardent passion for all-things-tech. He has been a theme-maker, modder and has contributed some custom ROMs. He enjoys learning, discovering, growing and sharing the newest and latest trends in the world of Android.
Current Devices: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, LG G3, HTC One M8 and Nexus 5.

Barney Holmes

I see Devhost used to be good ? Yes, now lots of browser warnings and blocked downloads. One of the DL button’s gives a viris/trojan laden file of the same name apart from the .exe on the end. Trojan. Thanks for changing

http://www.droidviews.com/ Rakesh

The file was uploaded to DevHost when it used to be a good hosting site. Anyway, I have replaced the link. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Barney Holmes

Odin download has virus ! Use from another source and check with online virus scanner (file upload).

I came to know that Samsung Galaxy ACE2 GT-I8160 can now be run on Kitkat (Android 4.4).

Can ACE2 be rooted using above method when run using this OS?

or do we need other download files (.tar.md5 & SuperSU)?

KostasPerakakis

Thanks for this!! Something to add to the guide. If you have the handsfree headset plugged in then the phone can’t enter recovery nor download mode!

Diony Rulloda

thank you.. :’) nice!!!

Ash

Thanks for reply, my phone is rooted thanks to this guide but I dont have CWM. I wanted to have this or twrp so I can back up the whole rom and maybe try a custom rom. thx

http://droidviews.com/ DroidViews

Read the guide again.

Ash

How can I get CWM or TWRP kernal on Ace2 GB any tutorials>

Ashrat

After waiting many months having been too scared to try this but it was easy. Thanks

Roldan

Tried it but failed.
What seems to be the problem?

http://droidviews.com/ DroidViews

Yes, you can.

Roldan

Hi, can i use D-K_V1.Tar.Md5 to install CWM for my rooted 4.1.2 ace 2?

Adam Zach

Its still not working. Will I have more luck with twrp custom recovery? If so any instructions on how to install this

http://droidviews.com/ DroidViews

Join the blog on FB or twitter and you will get automatic notification if the post is updated.

Adam Zach

Ok that’s good to know. Could you let me know when or if one becomes available? Thanks for your help

http://droidviews.com/ DroidViews

Currently, there is none.

Adam Zach

Thanks for the speedy response. I’ll try this later. Is there any way of getting it to stick instead of having to apply the update from the external sd card every time I want to use it

http://droidviews.com/ DroidViews

Just updated the post. Try the new temporary CWM.

Adam Zach

Hi, ive been trying to get cwm on my samsung galaxy ace2 for a while now and im following your instructions but no matter how many times ive flashed the file the phone still boots into stock android recovery and not cwm. Is there any alternative?